Single pole progressive switch



Feb. 20, 1962 A. N. GROTZ SINGLE POLE PROGRESSIVE SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Oct. 2, 1959 I N VE N TO R 4vm a/vr/V 6P0 72 7 ATTORNEY Q ww z ww W Feb. 20, 1962 A. N. GROTZ 3,022,394

SINGLE. POLE PROGRESSIVE SWITCH Filed Oct. 2, 1959 2 Sheets$heet 2 l I lINVENTOR //V7f/0/VY A! kvrz ATTORNEY United States Patent 'Ofiice3,022,394 Patented Feb.g20, 1962 3,022,394 I SINGLE PGLE PROGRESSIVESWITCH Anthony N. Grotz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Carling Electric,Inc., West Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Oct. 2,1959, Ser. No. 844,111 19 Claims. (Cl. 200-68) This invention relates toswitches, andparticularly to an improved single pole progressive switchcapable of controlling at least two electrical circuits.

The salient feature of the present invention is the provision of asingle pole progressive switch arranged to control two electricalcircuits in a sequence as follows: both circuits o one circuit on, twocircuits on, said electrical conditions being selectable in forward,reverse or mixed sequence. This function of the invention isaccomplished by a pair of interengaging circuit levers which cooperatewith each other and with a support yoke to pass from one circuitposition to another by pivoting on interrelated fulcrums formed by thelevers and yoke. The circuit levers are moved from one circuit positionto succeeding circuit positions by operation of a toggle containing aspring actuated pin which yieldably maintains the interengagin-g circuitlevers in any selected one of the various circuit positions until thepin is moved into other selected circuit positions.

The switch of the present invention comprises an ar rangement of simplestamped parts which are inexpensive to fabricate and which are easilyassembled. Since the working parts are subjected to comparatively littlestress,

the switch is capable of performing for unusually long periods of timewithout failure.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the specification.

The features of novelty which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention are set forth herein and will best be understood, both as totheir fundamental principles and as to their particular embodiments, byreference to the specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical switch assembly embodyingthe present'invention;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged vertical section view, taken on line 2-2 ofFIG. 1, some parts being shown in elevation and showing the circuitlevers in a position where both circuits are open; 7 FIG. 3 is similarto FIG. 2, wherein the toggle element has moved the control pin into aposition where one circuit is closed;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the toggle element has movedthe control pin into a positionwhere two circuits are closed;

FIG. 5 is a still further enlarged view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3,some parts being omitted and some parts being broken away;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with some additional parts beingomitted; a

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 3, further enlarged, someparts being omitted;

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 3, further enlarged,some'parts being omitted; and

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged exploded view of the yoke and circuit leverelements comprising part of the mechanism of the present invention.Referring now to the drawings in detail, the switch of the presentinvention comprises the box-like molded case, gene-rally designated 21,made of a suitable electrically insulating material such as syntheticresin, Bakelite, or the like, and having a pair of opposing end walls 22and a pair of side walls 23. The bottom of case 21 is enclosed by afloor 24.

The top of case 21is covered by a top plate 25, made of a siutablematerial such as sheet metal, or the like, and whose ends arecoextensive with theouter-surfaces of respective end walls 22. The sidesof top plate 25 are recessed to coincide with recesses 26 in the outersurfaces of side walls 23 of case 21, FIGS. 5 and 6.. Top plate 25 has acentral aperture through which various switch elements project, as willbe described hereinbelow.

Positioned over top plate 25 is a bracket 31 of sheet metal, which has acentral circular aperture having substantially the same diameter as andbeing positioned substantially coaxially in respect of the aperture oftop plate 25. Bracket 31 has a pair of downwardly extending leaves '32which fit within respective recesses 26 of side walls 23. The lower endof each leaf 32 is provided with a pair of spaced apart lugs 33 whichextend into respective recesses 34 in the bottom of floor 24 to causebracket 31 to secure'top plate 25 firmly in the top of case 21.

A tubular threaded bushing 36 is secured at its lower end by suitablemeans such as a force fit or the like, between top plate 25 andbracket-31 at the inner periph eral areas surrounding their respectivecentral apertures for firm connection to case 21. The interior wall ofbushing 36 has an inwardly curving annular shoulder 37 intermediate itsends, said shoulder being adapted tocooperate with a toggle element 38,a portion of whose sur-' face is curved to mate movably with saidshoulder, whereby said toggle may move pivotally relative to saidbushing. Toggle 38 has anupwardly extending handle 39 for manualoperation, and a lower tubular extension 41. Handle 39 has abore 42,toggle'38 has a bore 43 and tube 41 has a bore 44, all of said boresbeing axially aligned and longitudinally accommodating an elongatedcontrol pin 45 which is normally urged outwardly from bore 44 by captivespring 46. Control pin 45 is made of a suitable electrically insulatingmaterial, such as Bakelite, nylon, or the like, and has an outer end ofslightly reduced diameter in the form of a smoothly rounded nib 47extending downwardly to actuate the movable circuit levers of theswitch, as will bedescribed hereinbelow. While nib 47 is being urgeddownwardly against the circuit levers, spring 46 acting upon the innerend of bore 42 urges toggle 38-upwardly and snugly against shoulder 37without preventing-pivotal motion of said toggle relative to bushing 36.v

Positioned in floor 24 of case 21 is a pairof spaced apart, electricallyconducting studs 51 and 52 which extend through said floor and areincorporatedv securely therein by means of molding or the like. Each ofsaid studs has an electrically conducting-contact head 53 and 54,respectively, which extend into the interior ofcase 21. The lower endsof said studs on the outer surface of floor 24 have rivet heads 55 and56, respectively, which firmly secure electrically conductive brackets57 and'58, to the bottom of said base. Brackets 57' and 58 havedownwardly extending electrically conducting lugs '61 and 62,respectively, which serve as terminals to which electrical circuitry isconnectible.

Positioned intermediate studs 51 and 52 is an electrically conductingstud 63 which also extends through floor 24 and is incorporated securelytherin by means of molding or the like. The lower end of stud 63 extendsdownwardly to the exterior of case 21 and has a rivet headwhich firmlysecures an electrically conductive bracket 65 to the bottom of saidcase. Bracket 65 has a downwardly extending lug 66 which serves as aterminal to which an electrical circuit is connectible. The upper end ofstud 63 extends into the interior of case 21 and has a rivet head 67which secures an electrically conducting support or yoke 68 firmly tofloor 24.

. One side of yoke 68 has an upwardly extending arm Y of which areformed into inwardly extending 3 69 which terminates in a pair of spacedapart short fingers 71 and 72. The other side of yoke 68 has a shortriser 73 which terminates in a pair of long upwardly and outwardlyextending spaced apart fingers 74 and 75, the upper ends hooks 76 and77. FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 9.

Positioned in interengaging relationship with each other and with yoke68 are electrically conducting circuit levers, generally designated 81and 82, respectively. Circuit lever 81 comprises a pair of spaced apartelongated bars 83 and 84 which are connected together at one end bymeans of contact bar 85. Intermediate the ends of bars 83 and 84 is apair of inwardly extending shoulders 86 and 87. A portion of eachshoulder 86 and 87 curves downwardly and are joined integrally by bridgebar 88. The free ends of bars 83 and 84 are engaged by hooks 76 and 7,respectively. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. I

Circuit lever 82 comprises a V-shaped outwardly extending intermediateportion 91, one side of which has an integral blade 92 of reduced widthterminating in a slightly bent lip 93. The other side of portion 91 hasan outwardly extending blade 95 of reduced width to tthe outer endportion of which is connected a contact button 96'.

Circuit levers 81 and 82 are assembled in relation to each other and toyoke 68 in a manner whereby lever 82 is pivotable into three differentpositions. At junctures 97 between V-portion 91 and blade 92, lever 82is pivotable on the fulcrum formed by shoulder 98 between fingers 71 and72 of yoke 68. At junctures 99 between V-portion 91 and blade 95 lever82 is also pivotable on the fulcrum formed by bridge bar 88 of lever 81.

The pivoting action of lever 82' is produced by nib' 47 traversing fromblade 92 to V-shaped portion 91', thence to blade 95', and in reversesequence, as desired, accordingas handle 39 of toggle 38, is manipulatedby the operator of the switch.

Assuming, for example, that terminal 61 is connectible toa"first"circuit, terminal 62 is connectible to a second circuit, and terminal 66is connectible to an electric power source, it will be noted that FIGS.2, 3 and 4 represent, respectively: (a) both circuits open; (b) firstcircuit closed; and .(c) first and second circuits closed.

Since yoke 68 and circuit levers 81' and 82 are made of electricallyconductive metal, andare in contact with each other inall of theposit-ions described herein, said levers are capable of establishingelectrical connection from terminal 66 to-terminal' 61, or to bothterminals 61 and 62 by way of contact heads 53 and 54;

Referring to FIG. 2, toggle; 38' is in its first position wherenib 47-of pin 45 beats down upon blade 92 of circuit lever 82;, causing blade95 to extend upwardly. In this position V'-shaped portion 91 at juncture97-97 engages shoulders 86' and 87, and urges the latterupwardly-causing lever 81 to pivot upwardly ona fulcrum formed betweenthe ends of bars 83, 84, and hooks 76, 77 of yoke 68. The upward pivotalmotion of lever 81 is limited by its contact bar 85 being engaged by lip93 of lever 82. In the FIG. 2 position, neither of the circuit leversare in contact with contact heads 53 and 54, and thus both circuits arein the open condition.

When handle 39 of toggle 38 is manipulated to cause nib 47 ofpin 45tomove into the apex of the V-shaped portion 91 of circuit lever 82(FIG. 3), circuit lever 82 is pivoted onthe shoulder 98 of upwardlyextending arm 69 of yoke 68 and causes lip 93 to lift away from contactbar'84'. At the same time blade 95 of lever 82 at juncture 9999 bearsdown upon bridge 88' of lever 81 whereby the latter pivots downwardlycausing contact bar 85 to establish electrical connection. with contacthead 53 of stud 51, thereby closing the circuit to which terminal 61 isconnected. In this positionas shown in FIG. 3, contact button 96' ofcircuit lever 82 is still spaced apart from contact head 54 of-rivet 52whereby the circuit to which terminal 62 is connected remains in theopen condition.

When arm 39 is further manipulated to cause toggle 38 to assume thethird position shown in FIG. 4, nib 47 of pin 45 has moved along blade95 of lever 82 across the fulcrum formed by bridge 88, thereby causingcircuit lever 82 to pivot thereon into the position where contact button96 is brought to bear upon contact head 54 of rivet 52, thereby closingthe circuit with which terminal 62 is connected. In this position thepressure of nib 47 through blade 95 upon bridge 88 of lever 81 maintainsthe closed circuit position between contact head 53 and contact bar oflever 81.

Any of the three circuit conditions shown in. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, may beestablished at will by manipulation of toggle arm 39 in any desiredsequence. If nib 47 is made of nylon, for example, its rounded tipslides smoothly along various parts of lever 82 from one'position toanother. Captive spring 46 provides sufiicient yieldable pressure uponnib 47 to maintain levers 81 and 82 in their different selected circuitpositions while at the same time said nib is permitted to retractslightly when passing over the location of the fulcrums defined byshoulder 98 of yoke 68 and by bridge 88 of lever 81.

The switch assembly illustrated and described herein may be connected toa suitable mounting board 101, or the like (FIG. 3), secured between nut102 and threaded ring 163 cooperating with the peripheral threads ofbushing 36. Mountings other than the threaded bushing may be utilized,depending upon the structure of the apparatus to which it is connected.

It is understood that the switch described and claimed herein may beformed wtih multiple sets of yoke 68, lever 81 and lever 82, in order toprovide for the control of a corresponding plural number of electricalcircuit sets.

It is also contemplated that instead of toggle arm 39 operating ayieldable nib 47, for pivoting the contact levers 81 and 82, other meansfor operating these elements, such as sliders, rollers or cams, may beyielclably urged along the surface of lever 82 to perform the requisitesequence of contact lever pivoting actions as illustrated in FTGS'. 2, 3and 4.

In the specification, there are explained the principles of theinvention, and the best mode in whichv it is con templated applyingthose principles, so as to distinguish the invention from otherinventions; and there is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimedthe part, mode or combination which is claimed as the invention ordiscovery.

While therev is shown. and described certain preferred embodiments ofthe invention, it will be, understood that modifications and changes maybe made without departing from the function and scope thereof, as willbe clear to those skilled in the art.

It is claimed:

1*. A progressive switch comprising a case, first and second spacedapart circuit contacts in said case, av support in said caseintermediate said circuit contacts, first and second circuit leverspivotally mounted on said support, said first lever being adapted tomake electrical connection with said first contact, said second leverbeing adapted to make electrical connection with said second contact,said two levers also being operable pivotally relative to each other,said second lever in one pivotal action on said support bearing againstsaid firstcircuit lever and urging it pivotally into electricalconnection with said first contact and in a second pivotal actionpivoting on said first lever and coming into electrical connection withsaid second contact.

2. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said' second lever in saidsecond pivotal action maintains said first lever electrically connectedto said first contact.

3. A swtich accordingto claim 1 wherein said case is made of insulatingmaterial and said two levers and. said support are made of electricallyconductive material.

4. A switch according to claim 1 wherein in one posi tion neither ofsaid-levers make electrical connection with their respective contacts.

5. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said levers are positionable inany one of three different positions to bring about any selected one ofthe following electrical conditions: (a) neither lever is in electricalconnection with its respective contact; (b) said first lever only is inelectrical connection with said first contact; and (c) said second leveris in electrical connection with said second contact while said firstlever is maintained in electrical connection with said first contact.

6. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said levers are positionable inany one of three different positions to bring about any selected one ofthe following electrical conditions: (a) neither lever is in electricalconnection with its respective contact; (b) said first lever only is inelectrical connection with said first contact; and (c) said second leveris in electrical connection with said second contact while said firstlever is maintained in electrical connection with said first contact,and further comprising a pivotable toggle element mounted in said frame,said element bearing yieldably 'on said second lever and movable thereoninto selected positions to produce any one of said electrical conditionsof said levers.

7. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said support comprises anelectrically conductive yoke positioned intermediate'said firstandsecond contacts, an upwardly extending arm on one side of said yoke, apair of obliquely upwardly extending elements on the other side of saidyoke, a hook on the respective ends of each of said oblique elements,and further comprisinga bridge element on said first circuit leverintermediate the ends thereof, one end of said first circuit lever beingpivotally engaged by said hooks, said second circuit lever beingpivotable on said arm of said yoke and upon said bridge element of saidfirst circuit lever, a portion of said second circuit lever engaging aportion of said first circuit lever to produce pivotable motion of thelatter relative to said hooks, said levers being movable into any ofthree selected circuit positions as follows: (a) neither lever is inelectrical connection with its respective contact; (b) said first leveronly is in electrical connection with said first contact; and (c) saidsecond lever is in electrical connection wtih said second contact whilesaid first lever is maintained in electrical connection with said firstcontact.

8. A switch according to claim 7, and further comprising a togglemounted on said case, a spring loaded control pin mounted in saidtoggle, said pin yieldably engaging said second circuit lever and uponmovement or" said toggle causing said circuit levers to assume anyselected one of said electrical conditions.

9. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said first lever comprises apair of spaced apart elements and a bridge connecting said elementsintermediate the ends thereof and wherein said second lever comprises aV- shaped portion intermediate its ends, said V-shaped portion beingbroader than the remainder of said second lever, said second lever beingpivotable at one edge of said V-shaped portion on said support and beingpivotable at the other edge of said V-shaped portion on said bridge.

10. A switch according to claim 9 wherein said support comprises an arm,and a pair of spaced apart hook elements spaced apart from said arm,said second lever being pivotable on said arm and the spaced apartelements of said first lever being pivotally engaged by said hooks. 7

11. A switch according to claim 10 wherein in one position of said twolevers a portion of said second lever engages a portion of said firstlever to cause said first lever to be spaced apart from said firstcircuit contact.

12. A switch according to claim 11, and further comprising a cross barconnecting said two elements of said first lever, said cross bar beingengageable by a portion of said second lever to limit the pivotalmotionof said first lever away from saidifirst circuit contact.

13. A progressive comprising a case, first and second spaced apartcircuit contacts in said case, a yoke in said case intermediate saidcontacts, first and second circuit levers pivotally mounted on saidyoke, said levers being pivotally connected to each other, a control pinpivotally mounted in said case and bearing yieldably upon said secondlever, said pin in various selected positions, according as it ispivoted, producing the following lever and contact conditions; (a)bearing upon a first portion of said second lever whereby the latter isspaced apart from said second contact and said second lever bearsagainst and maintains said first lever spaced apart from said firstcontact; (b) bearing upon a second portion of said second lever wherebythe latter bears upon said first lever and causes it to connect withsaid first contact; and (0) bearing upon a third portion of said secondlever and causing the latter to connect with said second contact whilesaid second lever still causes said first lever to maintain connectionwith said first contact.

14. A switch according to claim 13, comprising first and second pivotjunctures on said second lever, said second lever being pivotable at itsfirst juncture on one portion of said yoke and being pivotable'at saidsecond juncture on a portion of said first lever, said first lever beingpivotable on another portion of said yoke spaced apart from said firstportion of said yoke.

15. A progressive switch comprising a case, first and second spacedapart circuit contacts in said case, a third circuit element'in saidcase intermediate said first and second contacts, first and secondcircuit levers electri cally connected to each other and positionedpivotably on said third circuit element and pivotally mounted relativeto each other in said case, elements on said first lever and elements onsaid second lever cooperating with each other whereby predeterminedpivotal motion of said second lever produces predetermined pivotalmotion of said first lever, said first lever being adapted to makeelectrical connection with said first contact, said second lever beingadapted to make electrical connection with said second contact, anactuating element mounted in said frame and yieldably biased againstsaid second lever and movable into selected positions along said secondlever to produce selected pivotal motion on said second lever and inturn upon said first lever.

16. A progressive switch comprising a case, first and second spacedapart circuit contacts in said case, a third circuit element in saidcase intermediate said first and second contacts, first and secondcircuit levers electrically connected to each other and positionedpivotably on said third circuit element and pivotally mounted relativeto each other in said case, said two levers being interconnected witheach other whereby selected pivotal motion of said second lever producesselected pivotal motion of said first lever, said levers beingpositionable in any one of three different positions to bring about anyselected one of the following electrical conditions: (a) neither leveris in electrical connectionwith a circuit contact; (b) said first leveronly is in electrical connection with said first contact; and (c) saidsecond lever is in electrical connection with said second contact whilesaid first lever is maintained in electrical connection with said firstcontact.

17. A switch according to claim 16, and further comprising an actuatingelement mounted in said case and yieldably biased against said secondlever and movable into selected positions along said second lever toproduce said electrical conditions.

'18. A progressive switch comprising a case, first and second spacedapart circuit contacts in said case, a third circuit element in saidcase intermediate said first and second contacts, first and secondcircuit levers electrically connected to each other and positionedpivotably on said third circuit element and pivotally mounted relativeto each other in said case, first means on said first circuit lever,second means on said second circuit lever cooperating with said firstmeans whereby selected pivotal motion of said second lever producesselected pivotal motion of said first lever, and third means mounted insaid case and operative upon said second lever to produce selectedpivotal actions upon said second lever and in turn upon said first leverto bring about any selected one of the following electrical conditions:(a) neither lever is in electrical connection with a circuit contact;(b) said first lever only is in electrical connection with said firstcontact; and (c) said second lever is in electrical connection with saidsecond contact while said first lever is maintained in electricalconnection with said first contact.

19. A progressive switch comprising a case, a pair of spaced apart firstand second circuit contacts in said case, a third circuit contactpositioned in said case intermediate said first two contacts, anelectrically conducting yoke connected to said third circuit contact, anintegral upwardly extending arm on one side of said yoke, a pair ofupwardly obliquely extending circuit element on the other side of saidyoke, a hook on each of said oblique elements, an electricallyconducting first circuit lever, one end of said first circuit leverbeing pivotally engaged by said hooks, a bridge element on said firstcircuit lever, a pair of shoulders on said first circuit lever near saidbridge element, the other end of said first circuit lever beingpivotable toward and away from said first circuit contact, anelectrically conducting second circuit. lever, said second lever restingon said bridge element of said first circuit lever and on said arm ofsaid yoke, said bridge element and said armserving as spaced apartseparate fulcrums on which said second circuit lever is selectivelypivotable, one end of said second 4 to pivot in said hooks so that itsother end establishes circuit lever being adapted to establish contactwith said second circuit contact, the other. end of said second cirbythe upward pivotal movement of the latter is limited,

a toggle on said case, a spring loaded control pin in said toggle, saidpin being adapted, when said toggle is moved, to move into variousselected positions along said second circuit lever and producingselected pivotal motion of the latter relative to said fulcrums, saidcontrol pin in one of its positions bearing upon one portion of saidsecond circuit lever whereby the other portion thereof is spaced apartfrom the second circuit contact and at the same time bears against theshoulders of said first circuit lever maintaining the latter spacedapart from said first circuit contact, said control pin in a secondposition bearing against an intermediate portion of said second ircuitlever whereby the latter has pivoted on said yoke arm and by its otherportion bearing down upon the bridge element of said first circuit levercausing the latter contact with said first circuitcontact, said controlpin in a third position bearing against the other portion of said secondcircuit lever whereby the latter has moved pivotally around said bridgeelement and its other end has established contact with said secondcircuit contact while said other end of said first circuit levermaintains electrical connection with said first circuit contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 826,711France Jan. 12, 1938

